Tlaquepaque is a must-do for tourists to the Guadalajara area, especially if you're looking for…read morelocal arts and crafts. Pasaje Independencia is basically the main shopping street that cuts through the old village. The street is closed off to cars and has arts and craft shops, restaurants, musicians and local artisans set up to cater to visitors in a safe area away from traffic. They usually have the street decorated based on holiday or artist theme so the decor is always rotating (they had giant ceramic pics the last time I was there). The rotating decor makes it a selfie takers paradise and there's something for just about everyone; shoppers, photographers, foodies people watchers, art aficionados. There's an old cathedral at the town square and sometimes there are dancers, voladores de papantla (aerialist religious ceremony that's protected by UNESCO), festivals, food and lots of things going on all the time.
Tip: It's fun to look at all the Frida Kahlo stuff, but remember there are many indigenous artisans making beautiful things that are unique to this specific area. You can buy a Frida shirt anywhere but you can't buy hand beaded Huichol art in other parts of Mexico. What you spend your money determines whether places like this stay unique or end up looking exactly the same.
